The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to part ways with two veterans in the upcoming 2025 NBA free agency period: Markieff Morris and Alex Len.
Both players were late-season additions and had minimal impact during their brief stints in purple and gold, and neither is expected to return as the Lakers reshape their roster heading into the next campaign.
Alex Len, who was acquired at the trade deadline to provide depth in the frontcourt, saw action in only 10 games, averaging 2.2 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 45.5% from the field.
Despite the Lakers' glaring need for size, particularly after their playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves exposed their lack of rim protection, Len never cracked the regular rotation. He remained behind Jaxson Hayes in the pecking order and was mostly unused as head coach JJ Redick often leaned on smaller, more versatile lineups.
At 7 feet tall, Len theoretically filled a need for size, but his mobility limitations and lack of offensive versatility kept him off the floor in critical moments. Given his limited role and modest production, the Lakers are unlikely to offer him a new deal.
Markieff Morris, on the other hand, returned to the Lakers as part of the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade. Now 35 years old, Morris played in just eight games, averaging 5.5 points and 1.9 rebounds.
His value was more rooted in veteran leadership and locker room presence than in on-court production. While his influence and experience were appreciated internally, the Lakers are expected to prioritize younger, more athletic forwards who can contribute consistently on both ends of the floor.
In contrast, the Lakers are more inclined to retain several other players from their current roster. Jaxson Hayes, though not heavily featured in the playoff series against Minnesota, remains a viable backup big with energy, athleticism, and age on his side. At just 24, he could be retained on a modest deal as a long-term bench piece.
Dorian Finney-Smith, who holds a player option, is viewed as a high-priority retention target. One of the league’s best 3-and-D forwards, Finney-Smith’s defensive versatility and spot-up shooting were crucial following the Luka trade.
The Lakers are expected to do everything in their power to bring him back, even if it means negotiating a multi-year deal beyond his player option.
Jordan Goodwin, who is on a team option, is also likely to return. The young guard showed toughness and flashes of two-way potential that could earn him a role as a rotation piece moving forward. His low salary and defensive upside make him an attractive keeper.
Then, of course, there’s LeBron James, who holds a player option of his own. Despite speculation every summer, it remains almost certain that LeBron will decline his current deal and re-sign with the Lakers on a new contract, as he has done in recent years to maintain flexibility and leverage.
While Morris and Len are set to depart, the Lakers are expected to focus on retooling around their core and adding frontcourt depth with better-fitting pieces to support LeBron, Luka, and a hopefully healthy roster.
